Failure to Reach 85% of Predicted HR
A 55-year-old man undergoes treadmill testing for stable exertional chest pain. He exercises for 9 minutes but reaches only 78% of his age-predicted maximal heart rate because he takes a beta-blocker. There is no significant ST depression and he has no chest pain. How should the test be interpreted?
A. Definitively negative for ischemia
B. Positive because he failed to reach 85% of predicted maximal HR
C. Potentially nondiagnostic/submaximal, with interpretation dependent on the clinical context
D. Diagnostic of chronotropic incompetence
E. Diagnostic of severe CAD
Forwarded fromEasy ECG Course
September 8, 2026 72
